As part of our work to amplify powerful voices from our community, we ask 3 special guests to pick some of the music you’ll be hearing each month. Each of our Community DJ’s chooses 10 songs and records a spoken introduction for each, reflecting on their history with this music, memories of South Minneapolis, personal observations, or whatever else the song may make them think of. As you listen throughout the month, you’ll hear these songs and their intros playing at random times. We also share each DJ’s picks as a playlist accessible below. So scroll down and meet this month’s Community DJ’s!

Roxanne Anderson

Roxanne Anderson is a community activist who has been working for social justice in the LGBTQ community for more than 15 years. Roxanne has worked as the Associate Director of Trans Organizing at OutFront; Director of the Minnesota Transgender Health Coalition and the Exchange, where they helped run the shot clinic and needle exchange program; co-founder and director of RARE Productions, a multimedia arts and entertainment company focusing on producing and promoting queer artists of color; and co-owner of the now-closed Café Southside (RIP).

Nekessa Opoti loves exploring new music and re-discovering old sounds. These are some of her favorite songs brought to life by women from around the world. She is a writer and advocate passionate about love and justice. As music transcends borders, she dreams and works toward a world that is not divided by physical and oppressive borders.

Rafael Gonzalez

Rafael Gonzalez is a Dakota/Boricua hip hop artist and activist from South Minneapolis. With a background in youth work and community organizing, he has traveled the world meeting with Indigenous activists and musicians. His newest music project (under his stage name of Tufawon) is called Self Care.